West Inn Cantina – the Avondale schizophrenic  

Posted at 1:52 pm in Best things about Jacksonville

I only realized the other day that Monty’s had changed its name. Apparently, this happened seven years ago without me noticing. It is now called West Inn Cantina and serves Mexican food. This won’t be news to many (any) of you, but it is noteworthy to me.

west inn

Monty’s is something of an institution. Many of my buddies fondly remember underage drinking there back in the day. It is still ON FIRE on Fridays and Saturdays, upsetting Brick and Biscotti’s customers by forcing them to rub shoulders with the kind of people who prefer drinking PBR in a low dive (people like me, basically). Last time I stopped in there on Friday evening  I counted seven drunks bellied up to the bar (including me and two buddies). This is about standard…….

That’s the sort of place it is. An awesome place, basically. But once I had been awakened to the fact that it was a Mexican Restaurant too (who knew?) I realized I would have to try the food. I needed to mentally reconcile both elements of this neighborhood institution – Monty’s and West Inn Cantina: The low dive and the family-friendly restaurant. Was it possible? I didn’t know.

So on Saturday, I went there late afternoon with a small entourage to try the food. I walked in through the door stone cold sober (that’s a first) and was shown by Krystal (lovely, helpful and charming) to a table outside. I ordered a margarita and beer, to be followed by a chicken burrito and a beer. Then I had another margarita, tipped well and left….. And do you know, the food was kind of great……. and I was at no time accosted by drunks.

The experiment was a success. I have reconciled in my own mind the Avondale schizophrenic that is West Inn/Monty’s. It is still a low dive where you can drink confident of the fact that your check will not be very large and that nobody is in a fit condition to judge you. The magic is that you can also take your family for a pleasant Mexican meal if you’re that way inclined.

I just wouldn’t let your mother/kids/grandmother visit the restroom unescorted. In fact, make sure they keep to the street side of the bar………… Also, don’t go there looking for dates. Seriously.

Written by Joe Bones on April 27th, 2009

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3 Responses to 'West Inn Cantina – the Avondale schizophrenic'

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  1. Joe,

    The name has never been Monty’s, however it was known by that name due to one a long time employee (he worked the drive-thru package store when you could have an open bottle of beer in the car , boy I miss the good old days). The current owners (husband, wife and son, by the way the wife was the tall blonde who hugged me Friday night) took over from the husband’s father in the late 70’s or early 80’s. The father had owned West Inn since the 50’s or 60’s, As a side note my mother also visited this establishment way back in the day. Prior to that, the bar/package store was owned by a local Ortega family. It appears I have too much information on this bar! Also, who was the sober one in the group after the boat show?

    Benny Andersson

    Benny Andersson

    28 Apr 09 at 8:12 am

  2. I thought there were only three of us. I now realize there were four. Oh dear. Thanks, buddy!

    Joe Bones

    28 Apr 09 at 8:22 am

  3. Learned something new today. I’m taking the rest of the day off!

    III

    1 May 09 at 9:41 am

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